10 goals for Giving Tuesday
Movement a consumerism detox after binge days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, write
Our No. 1 holiday tune is still the original Band Aid’s, Do They Know It’s Christmas? We know it’s cheesy, and it gets lots of knocks because rich pop singers preach about helping the poor. And it’s too bad the refreshed version — released recently with big names like One Direction — is receiving mixed reactions and doesn’t get the facts straight on Ebola.
But we’re steadfast in our admiration for the first effort that encouraged the world to think about — and give — to others. These lyrics — “And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy. Throw your arms around the world at Christmas time” — evoke the true spirit of the holidays. And this sentiment is the thinking behind the newest holiday tradition, Giving Tuesday.
Giving Tuesday intentionally follows the binge of consumer gluttony that is Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s a movement that challenges us to ask ourselves, How can I give back?
It was started in the U.S. two years ago by the United Nations Foundation and several community organizations, and was quickly given the thumbs up by celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, philanthropist Bill Gates and U.S. President Barack Obama.
A group of organizations, including CanadaHelps.org (an online donating and fundraising platform), brought the campaign to Canada last year and it’s now in about 40 countries.
Two things we love about Giving Tuesday are that everyone can take part, and you give to the causes you care about most. For instance, you give the gift of empowerment when you buy a goat from Free the Children for a woman overseas, transforming her life for years to come.
Here are 10 ways you can give the world a big hug on Giving Tuesday.
Pick one thing on your wish list — maybe it’s a pair of leather gloves. Buy it, give it to a women’s shelter.
Acknowledge “invisible” people. Our friend, Winnipeg homelessness activist Hannah Taylor, says the most important thing we can do for the person we pass on the street is to say “hello.” The very act of seeing them is a small gift. Then offer to buy a warm drink or meal.
Ask your teen to research a great eco organization they’d like the family to financially support, or decide together what you can all do to help the environment.
More Canadians are using food banks each month than during the height of the recession, according to the latest Hunger Count report by Food Banks Canada. Ask your local food bank what they need most and then go shopping for it with your children.
Do one of the weekly challenges on We365, a Free the Children and Telus digital community for people who want to change the world. Get started at We365.com. You can download the free app to find daily “do-good” challenges and upload your own challenges for others.
Make a donation that helps out both pets and seniors. The Humane Society of Canada’s Silver Paws program helps Canadian seniors pay for the care of and emergency medical bills for their pets.
Challenge your children to come up with a creative fundraiser for a cause they are passionate about — then promise to match their efforts from the family purse.
Take the Governor General’s new Dare2Give challenge. Dare your family and friends to give what our GG calls your “time, talent or treasure” to a cause of your choice.
Tragically, one humanitarian disaster barely gets a week in the spotlight before the next one knocks it from the news cycle and our collective attention. Make a donation to an organization working on a forgotten but urgent crisis like Syrian refugees.
Encourage your children to part with toys they no longer use to make room for the new gifts on their wish list. Gift drives also always need items for teens so get your older kids involved, too.